useumNews

Thoney Pietro

FALL 2017

Exhibit: Thoney Pietro: A Morgantown Visionary Chris McGuffin, our former Assistant Coordinator and a 2017 graduate of West Virginia University, designed and mounted our popular current exhibition. In the process of group research on Works Project Administration built structures and infrastructure in Morgantown for Pro-fessor Jenny Bouleware’s publlic history class, Chris discovered Thoney Pi-etro. He realized that Pietro had played a significant and extensive role in building, infrastructure and community, in Morgantown. His other legacy is a collection of high quality photographs of his work sites and crews, given by the Pietro family to the West Virginia and Regional History Collection at WVU. THONEY PIETRO was a prominent member of Morgantown’s community. An Italian immigrant, Pietro initially settled in Pittsburgh, but by 1898 called Morgantown his home. Thoney was one of nearly 5,000 Italian Immigrants who came to Morgantown in the early 20th century. He was proud of his heritage and became a leading voice for the Italian-Amer-ican community in Morgantown. In the 1930s he successfully fought for the Italian language to be taught in public schools. Shortly after moving to Morgantown, Pietro founded the Thoney Pietro Construction Company. By the mid 1920s his business extended beyond the boundaries of Morgan-town to include offices in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Montgomery County Pennsylvania. His men graded, paved and constructed roads, laid sewage lines, and installed drainage systems. The Pietro legacy was more than just Thoney. In fact, family was something that was close to the hearts of all the Pietros. Thoney’s brothers, for example, were also highly regarded for their work and contributions to the community. By the early 1930s Pietro had became a wealthy man in Morgan-town. To show off his wealth and prosperity in the community, he decided to build a substantial stone dwelling. Built of West Virginia sandstone by Italian master masons, “Pietro’s Castle” was completed in 1933 and cost $200,000. Thoney and his family lived here for the next ten years. Today his homes along Kingwood Street and his “castle” on Tyrone Road serve as a reminder of how one man envisioned the American Dream. One of the largest projects undertaken by the WPA in Morgantown was the building and construction of new road surfaces along Richwood Avenue. Before the Great Depression many residents of Morgantown and West Virginia urged the government to improve roads. The WPA answered these calls when they contracted with Thoney Pietro Brothers to begin con-struction of new road surfaces on Richwood Ave. and build substantial re-taining walls in 1936. These walls still stand today and serve as a reminder for residents about the work done By the WPA during the Great Depression to improve the quality of life for Morgantown residents. The Morgantown community recognized Richwood’s completion by holding a parade followed by a dedication ceremony. The September 8th, 1937 edition of the Morgantown Post reported, “Richwood Avenue, $350,000 City sponsored W.P.A. paving and sewer project, will don fancy dress tonight and make its formal bow to Morgantown.” Following floats sponsored by local businesses, the parade concluded at Whitmore Park where Frank Conner the chairman of the event introduced speakers includ-ing: Mayor Harry Largent, Rep. Jennings Randolph, James Moreland of the program committee.

Stewart St. was paved all the way to the city limits in 1909. Thoney Pietro at far right.

Italian-American Friendship Poster

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Morgantown Museum Commission

Chair

Pamela A. Ball

Members

Christy Venham, Co-chair

Charlie Byrer

Pamela McClung Casto

Matthew Held

Ross Justice

Richard McEwuen, Secretary

Wesley Nugent, City Council Representative

Rodney Pyles

James Snyder

Harold “Swifty’’ ShaverPresident of Friends Group

Volunteer IT Director

Assistant CoordinatorsMuseum News Editors

Patricia Dudley

Harold Shaver

Greetings from the Chair

Dear Friends, That old adage ‘The older you are- the faster time flies’ sure seems to be true. It seems like it was only a short while ago that I was writing a message to you for the Spring 2017 MHM newsletter. They also say, ‘Time flies while you are having fun!’ We have had great fun in the last months at the Morgantown History Museum. The MHM has participated in the annual downtown Main Street Chocolate Lovers’ Day; Kids’ Day and Arts Walk. Once again, we attended the annual Mountaineer History Expo ‘17 at the Marion County Courthouse, where we launched our Phase III of our continuing Flatboat Project. The Thoney Pietro: A Mor-gantown Visionary exhibit opening and reception opened on July 22nd to a large and appreciative crowd, due to the fact that many still living in Morgantown remember Mr. Pietro and his famous castle. We recently particpated in the first annual Mason-Dixon Survey Festival in October. This event was great fun, and provid-ed a venue within Monongalia County, that afforded visitors from not only Mon County, but three counties in Western PA, informa-tion and knowledge about our museum to others in the region. Other than planning, coordinating and installing exhibits and displays, both on-site, and off-site, we have been involved in many additional projects. Some have made us partners with other organizations, especially WVU programs.Recently, we have been involved in collaborative projects with the local WVU History Department to provide a semester learn-ing lab for Public History grad students, centered around produc-ing a final graduate exhibit. Additionally, we have worked collab-oratively with WVU Media students to produce a well functioning MHM web site. At the beginning of the current Fall ‘17 semester, we started working with the WVU Architectural Design Program students to develop possible interior museum spaces that would be suitable for our current and future collections. We are start-ing up a project with the WVU B&E Entrepreneurial program, to work on a statistical analysis of the MHM operation and produce a business plan which will allow us to grow and mature over the next years and into the future. If you get a chance, please come to the Morgantown His-tory Museum during our Christmas/Holiday: Traditions exhibit on December 2nd, from Noon-4pm - we will have refreshments and music.

Thanks for all you do- we appreciate your support.Pamela Ball,Chair, MMC/MHM

The Morgantown History Museum is the first city-sponsored museum in the Greater Morgantown area. Its mission is to preserve the history of the region for the public by collecting and display-ing local cultural artifacts.

Morgantown History Museum175 Kirk Street

Morgantown, WV 26505(304) 319-1800

info@morgantownhistorymuseum.orgHours:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Tuesday-Thursday

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

EVENTS 3 / MHM NEWS / FALL 2017

Morgantown History Museum Helps Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Mason-Dixon Line

250 years ago the Mason-Dixon land survey party set their final marker on Brown’s Hill, now within the Mason-Dixon Historical Park at Core, West Virginia. Pete Zapadka has organized celebra-tions for years but this year’s was excep-tional. The Morgantown History Museum participated in this interesting and educa-tional event on both Saturday and Sun-day. We had a display table with a map of the original survey route; a photo that was taken by former MHM staff member Carmen Fullmer showing the Mason-Dix-on Survey stone marker, c. 2008; a copy of the original Mason-Dixon Survey Party Camp, painted by S. McLain, c.1990’s and a copy of the painting, as it appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article about the upcoming 250 Mason-Dixon Line festival. The MHM used the event as a wonderful opportunity to provide some educational materials to the visitors of the festival and to provide information about the Morgantown History Museum. We had quite a few visitors to our table. The crowd seemed to be a mix between Monongalia County, WV and Greene, Washington and Allegheny County, PA visitors It was a great learning opportuni-ty for both the visitors and the workers on that beautiful and sunny day in the beau-tiful and historic Mason-Dixon Park. The three day schedule included daily historical talks on the Mason-Dixon Survey and on land surveying tech-niques and equipment. Star gazing events were held at night, since Ma-son-Dixon’s success in the difficult terrain relied on the stars. Also featured: a Na-tive American encampment, a quilt and craft show and rides on a mule driven wagon.

EXHIBITS 4 / MHM NEWS / FALL 2017

Harold Shaver’s display of Volkswagen memorabilia partially represents 30 years of collecting from antique stores, yard sales and the internet, as well as family gifts. The Volkswagen that he and his son own, is used to promote the history museum in parades in downtown Morgantown. It will be in the 2017 Christmas parade weather permitting.

Coming soon! The opening for Morgantown History Museum’s Christmas/Holiday: Traditions exhibit Saturday December 2, 12-4 PM.

Thank You for Your Support!

Best Chef JudgesChef Chris Hall

Cindy Coffindaffer ColassanteJean-Manuel Guillot

Mary Spatafore GabrieleShannon Colaianni Tinnell Best Chef Restaurants

Atomic Grill • Alex GlotkoBourbon Prime • Chef Jeremy Bosley

Flying Fish Chef Aaron Bennet, Cameron Proffitt

Hill and Hollow • Chef Marion OhlingerIron Horse Tavern • Chef William Prunty,

Chef Tom DouglassThe Lakehouse • Chef Travis Fortney

Lakeview Resort Executive Chef Jessie TeasdaleMorgantown Flour and Feed

Executive Chef Seth Bradley FrenchTable 9 Chef Mark Tasker

Terra Cafe Chef Lauren HartmanThe Jenny Wilson Trio

Donors, silent auction, Best Chef Contest

We would like to thank the following individuals, families, and organizations for their volunteer work and/or their generous contributions to the Morgantown History Museum:

John PylesBrenda Shinkovich

Pamela BallPam McClung CastoRichard McEwuen

Mathew HeldChristelle Venham

Rodney PylesRoss Justice

Harold “Swifty” ShaverPatricia DudleyChris McGuffin

Elizabeth SatterfieldBeth YoungDena Pride

Sherran ShaverBOPARC

City of MorgantownMorgantown Museum Commissioners

Monongalia County CommissionRon Rittenhouse

James Brown & Family

Dr. and Mrs. Gene BallRon Rittenhouse

Joetta ShaverMelissa Arnett Carl

J.R. RothsteinAppalacian Gallery

Robert YagleHolly & Michael Williams

Lisa FitzgeraldAlgot Stephenson

R. KarelisFannie HinebaughLinda Humphrey

Michael MeszarosProfessor Jeffrey Moser

WVU Reed College of MediaProfessor Jenny Bouleware WVU History DepartmentProfessor Ron Dulaney

WVU Architecture and DesignFriends of Morgantown History Museum

WV & Regional History Center, WVU Norm Julian

Mail to:Friends of the Morgantown History Museum175 Kirk StreetMorgantown, WV 26505

Annual Memberships$25.00 Individual _____$30.00 Family _____ $50.00 Corporate _____

Additional Contributions:$______________________Name ___________________________Address _________________________City, State, Zip ____________________ _________________________________

Telephone (h) ____________________ (w) ____________________E-mail: _______________________

To donate objects or to volunteer some time, please contact the Morgantown History Museum at (304) 319-1800 or at info@morgantownhistorymuseum.org

To make a monetary donation, go to https://npo.justgive.org/nonprofits/donate.jsp?ein=26-0859732. or send donation directly to MHM, 175 Kirk St, Morgantown, WV 26505.

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Membership Application

The Morgantown Museum Commission invites you to join the Friends of Morgantown History Museum to help promote and preserve the rich history of Morgantown and the surrounding area.

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Preserving Morgantown’s Cultural Heritage

175 Kirk StreetMorgantown, WV 26505

Some of Our New Acquisitions at the Museum ●Paper: Charles C. Howell’s “History of Ridgedale School District”●Photo: of Morgantown & Kingwood management & employees. ●Photo: of Morgantown Suspension Bridge.●Book: “The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters.” Logan Marshall Ed.●Book: “One Room Schools in Monongalia County,” Monongalia Historical Society 1977. ●Bowl: white milk glass, hand painted with pink roses, Davis Lynch Glass Company. ●Badge: Morgantown Police Department.●Program: “Deckers Creek Valley Days”, 12th, 13th and 14th annual. 1979-1981.●Photo: Glenna Williams, left and Alice McEwuen in costume at Deckers Creek Valley Days. 1980●Program: Rock Forge United Presbyterian Church 1977 Deckers Creek Valley Days.●Program: Bicentennial for Morgantown Chamber with Virginia Chittum School of Dance.●Chinaware: Richard Restaurant, Morgantown China Large platter, small platter, 2 cups.●Charts: from U.S. Army Engineers Pittsburgh District 1970 Monongahela River Navigation Charts ●Photos: 33 B&W photos of C&P Telephone Co. employees and work 1978.●Two bottles: Manufactured in Morgantown, WV by Victors Drug Company. ●Article: about a trip by Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, John Burroughs & Henry Firestone to WV.●Article: “Edison, Ford Slept Here.” Interview with Bill Ammons in 1988.●Papers: The Life and Works of Reverend John Bernard Gibbs sent to MHM by J.R. Rothstein, Civil Rights.●Papers, The Life and Ancestry of Mabel Isabel Dove sent by J.R. Rothstein of NY, NY.●Yearbooks: MHS 1936 thru 1939; Red & Blue Journal newspapers ‘36-’40.●Recorder: Wire Voice Recorder. ●Programs: Beau Monde Club 1961-1991: Programs from Womens Music Club●Photo: Signed by Don Knotts, Photo Signed by David Selby.●Pottery: handmade from Susan Elkins; (8); Louise Fuller (1); Mildred Atkins (9) pieces.●Photos: of WVU Coliseum, Sterling Chicken farm, and Dellslow fire hose pumper.●Photo: of Metropolitan theatre and one poster entitled “Ballet De Russe de Monte”●Letters: from Ralph Hutchinson family.●Map of Morgantown 1939.